ABOUT WDI:

Established at the University of Michigan in 1992, the William Davidson Institute (WDI) is an independent, non-profit research and educational organization focused on providing private-sector solutions in emerging markets. Through a unique structure that integrates research, field-based collaborations, education/training, publishing, and UM student opportunities, WDI creates long-term value for academic institutions, partner organizations, and donor agencies active in emerging markets. WDI also provides a forum for academics, policymakers, business leaders, and development experts to enhance their understanding of these economies. Our mission is to create true, sustainable solutions. Our work spans understanding, testing, and implementing actionable, private-sector business models which address the challenges and opportunities in emerging markets. Our employees are not UM employees; they are sponsored affiliates. WDI is an EOE.

SUMMARY:

WDI’s Performance Measurement Initiative (PMI) is collaborating with partners on the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Innovations Program (MERLIN) — a USAID endeavor led by the U.S. Global Development Lab and in partnership with the Bureau for Policy, Planning and Learning, and the Bureau for Global Health. The consortiums seek to provide measurement solutions that depart from traditional approaches that can be overly rigid and often are slow to deliver results. Instead, the measurement solutions that will be tested by the consortiums seek to increase efficiency, efficacy and provide the ability to more quickly adapt to changing circumstances. The candidate will provide technical support focused largely on qualitative data analysis to one of the consortiums within MERLIN – the Developmental Evaluation Pilot Activity (DEPA) Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL).

The consortium will pilot up to six Developmental Evaluations (DEs) of USAID-funded projects covering a myriad of sectors and geographies under the DEPA-MERL contract through September 2019. DE—designed to support innovative, complex programming—supports the continuous adaptation of development interventions by embedding an evaluator into a program throughout its life to continuously provide feedback and inject evaluative thinking into the program’s implementation. In addition to assisting on this project the candidate will also complete other duties as assigned related to other projects and initiative needs.

JOB DUTIES:

DEPA MERL duties revolve around qualitative data analysis and may include primary and secondary research duties. The candidate will conduct the following activities in close collaboration with PMI staff:

Organize and analyze qualitative data (in-depth interviews, report logs, system maps, theories of change, program objectives as well as potentially other materials). This includes, but is not limited to, transcribing, coding, developing themes within a DE and comparing qualitative data across DEs using a qualitative data analysis software package

Develop a framework/typology to compare and analyze qualitative findings within and across pilots. This will also include developing reports that summarize these findings.

Assist in the development of in-depth interview protocols and surveys as well as conducting interviews, surveys, developing systems maps and theories of change that are required to collect primary information from key partners in the DE. This could include travel to collect such data.

Perform quantitative data analysis within and across pilots as necessary as well as develop related summary reports

Conduct literature reviews

Conduct regular reporting activities

Exercise regular use of discretion and independent judgment involving the comparison and evaluation of possible courses of conduct pertaining to conducting interviews and collecting primary information from key partners and acting or making a decision after considering the various possibilities.

Perform work that will affect business operations by representing WDI through direct communication with key partners and potential partners. This will involve office settings as well as potentially field settings on regular basis, and participation in meetings.

Perform onsite field work and research for project(s) assigned

Interact with partners (field and office settings) on regular basis; participate in meetings

Work with PMI team members to review and improve internal processes for increased efficiency and quality of work

Proposal and budget development

Case study development

Application of frameworks in emerging economies, if required

Perform additional duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A master’s degree in public policy, public health, business or a related field

Ability to travel domestically and internationally for onsite field work, meetings, etc.

Ability to design, support and conduct secondary and primary research

Comfortable using MS Office (Excel, Powerpoint and Word)

Demonstrated ability to maintain professional composure at all times

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Entry-level paid work experience in monitoring and in global development-related evaluation with a focus on emerging economies, developing in-depth interview guides/protocols and surveys, creating systems maps, field work experience that includes conducting interviews, and facilitating both workshops and focus groups

Democracy and governance experience is a plus

HOW TO APPLY:

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION:

This position is eligible for WDI employee benefits (paid time off, health/dental/life insurance, and retirement with immediate vesting). Details will be given to those who are invited to interview. Compensation for this entry-level opening will be commensurate with relevant work experience and academic degree. (Sorry, no relocation expenses will be reimbursed.)

Additional Information

DURATION: Job is available immediately and may last possibly through September 2017. NOTE: This position is funded by a grant; continuation will be determined in part by availability of funds from granting agencies.